Sandusky area anyone??? (Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton: condo, homes, find a job)

[panny]

Hello
My husband will be getting out of the military and we can finally go where ever we choose!! We are thinking of the Sandusky area. We love the idea of a condo/house on the water. Questions...What is the day to day living in this area? How afforable are homes? Safe? Jobs? (teacher and computer geek!!) taxes? You name it, I want to know it!! Thanks!

[Rocket 1]

Sandusky is ok but you may also look at Marblehead more for Condo on the water.

You may not want to come to Ohio if you are a teacher with any experience. You may not find a job. They are hard to come by now due to the over abundance of teachers in the state.

Look at North Carolina or Florida if you want to be a teacher.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by panny

Hello
My husband will be getting out of the military and we can finally go where ever we choose!! We are thinking of the Sandusky area. We love the idea of a condo/house on the water. Questions...What is the day to day living in this area? How afforable are homes? Safe? Jobs? (teacher and computer geek!!) taxes? You name it, I want to know it!! Thanks!

I am originally from Port Clinton and my husband from Sandusky. The only issue I would think you would have is that homes on the water are not affordable and jobs. I mean, I love the area, miss it in many ways, but I couldn't live there anymore.

Teaching jobs are hard to get up, many districts are down sizing due to loss of population and computer jobs....well, he may luck into something that pays, more likely he is going to be commuting a heck of a long way.

If you can secure jobs, it might be worth it, but I wouldn't go there until you have something lined up unless you want to work in the tourist industry.....and tourist industry jobs don't buy water frount homes.

[LancasterNative]

The Sanduksy area is a fun place to hang out, for sure. Its economy, however, leaves much to be desired.

As other posters have already stated, teaching jobs in Ohio are pretty scarce. Computer/IT jobs are more plentiful in places like Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.

Since you asked about taxes, I've just gotta offer a fair warning: Ohio is a very high-tax state! It's ridiculously oppressive. Politicians of both parties have screwed things up pretty badly.

And unfortunately, the socialistic atmosphere isn't likely to change here because Ohio has sooo many people now addicted to government. (Like a narcotic!) With all these BIG gov't programs here lining so many pockets, it's unlikely that a majority of Ohioans will ever vote for lower taxes—that would dry up their feeding trough!

Someday I'd love to take a good look at Tennessee, Texas or Florida. All states w/no income tax

Anyway, if you do eventually decide on the Sandusky/North Coast area, be sure to check out the neat little neighboring communities like Huron, Ruggles Beach, Lakeside and Marblehead. All very charming!

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

The Sanduksy area is a fun place to hang out, for sure. Its economy, however, leaves much to be desired.

As other posters have already stated, teaching jobs in Ohio are pretty scarce. Computer/IT jobs are more plentiful in places like Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.

Since you asked about taxes, I've just gotta offer a fair warning: Ohio is a very high-tax state! It's ridiculously oppressive. Politicians of both parties have screwed things up pretty badly.

And unfortunately, the socialistic atmosphere isn't likely to change here because Ohio has sooo many people now addicted to government. (Like a narcotic!) With all these BIG gov't programs here lining so many pockets, it's unlikely that a majority of Ohioans will ever vote for lower taxes—that would dry up their feeding trough!

Someday I'd love to take a good look at Tennessee, Texas or Florida. All states w/no income tax

Anyway, if you do eventually decide on the Sandusky/North Coast area, be sure to check out the neat little neighboring communities like Huron, Ruggles Beach, Lakeside and Marblehead. All very charming!

I always thought that Ohio came in towards the middle of the bunch when it came to tax burden? I recently had to do some research for a job offer and it was normally listed between 24th and 27th. Some states may not have income tax, but they get you in other ways. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

I always thought that Ohio came in towards the middle of the bunch when it came to tax burden? I recently had to do some research for a job offer and it was normally listed between 24th and 27th.

I wish that were still the case! Forty years ago, Ohio was even regarded as a pretty low-tax state. But over the past few decades, under the auspices of both R's and D's, Ohio's tax burden has climbed steadily. A survey in 2006 found that the Buckeye state's overall government larceny rate now ranks third!

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Some states may not have income tax, but they get you in other ways. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Very true. There are other annoying ways they rip you off besides direct taxes. Service fees and other onerous infrigements on our wallets are every bureaucrat's wet dream.

I agree there's no "free lunch" and I'm certainly not looking for one from the government—state, local or federal. I just want them to leave me alone, and stop pilfering my money!

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

I wish that were still the case! Forty years ago, Ohio was even regarded as a pretty low-tax state. But over the past few decades, under the auspices of both R's and D's, Ohio's tax burden has climbed steadily. A survey in 2006 found that the Buckeye state's overall government larceny rate now ranks third!

Very true. There are other annoying ways they rip you off besides direct taxes. Service fees and other onerous infrigements on our wallets are every bureaucrat's wet dream.

I agree there's no "free lunch" and I'm certainly not looking for one from the government—state, local or federal. I just want them to leave me alone, and stop pilfering my money!

I guess I prefer an independent evaluation of tax burden...that site has an ax to grind and a blatant agenda. I find it funny that their own resource material they cite has Ohio listed at 14th...not 3rd. A case of statistics can't be abused/used to prove what every someone wants.

I am not saying Ohio hasn't had some real monetary issues and mishandling of funds, oh how has it, but no where else have I see Ohio listed as #3 when it comes to taxes.

When I was looking at a possible move to Wisconsin (normally listed at #5 for tax burden) I compared directly taxes for my current state (NC), my former state (OH) and the new one.

NC and OH came in about the same, OH slightly higher, but honestly, if you want a tax burdern to to WI. You'll be happy to get back to Ohio.

[jason96r]

I currently live about 10 miles from Sandusky. It is a nice city but please have a job lined up before you try to move here. I wont comment on the taxes, but I always thought we had a pretty low cost of living, but notice the small towns are the same or more than moderate sized cities. For instance I was looking at Omaha in the Sandusky area the cost of living in Omaha is rated slightly lower than the Sandusky, OH area, but the median household income is about $17,000 more a year in Omaha. I have seen local papers help wanted advertise a job making $9 something an hour and require a Bachelors degree. People will and have to work for very low wages in this area of Ohio. Since moving back to the area after getting out of the Army, I've had about all the life sucked out of me.

[kobraf150]

See if I lived in or near Sandusky, I'd buy a season pass to Cedar Point (I go there 2-3 times a year coming from Detroit). Still, I don't wanna get sick of that place, nor be around so much tourist traffic. Plus I don't think I want to live in an area with Buckeye majority (no offense), I went to Michigan from 1999-03 (3-2) against the Bucks over that stretch.

[FloridaandOhio]

wipe erie county off your list. No jobs at all. I have family all over that part of Ohio and half of them have been recently laid off.